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Continuity of Learning Updates May 8, 2020

May 8th, 2020

The following update was sent to the HCPSS community by Superintendent Michael Martirano on May 8, 2020:

Yesterday I joined the Asian American Educators of Howard County (AAEHC) and the Howard County Human Rights Commission (HCHRC) in issuing a joint statement regarding the importance of compassion and tolerance for all people, especially during this difficult time. While fear and anxiety are natural human responses, it is unfair, unacceptable and destructive to assign blame for the current pandemic, or any other crisis, to an individual or group representing a particular nationality or heritage. Unfortunately, there have been recent instances of harassment and discrimination toward people of Asian background occurring nationally and even here in Howard County. We must all do our part to demonstrate the spirit of kindness and solidarity that strengthens our entire community. HCPSS, AAEHC and HCHRC are co-hosting a webinar, Well-Being in the Asian Community, on Wednesday, May 13 from 1–2:30 p.m., and I encourage you to join us.

Field Trip Refunds

HCPSS continues to work with our vendors to attempt to secure refunds for canceled field trips. Any funds recovered will be disbursed to families as soon as possible; however, HCPSS will be unable to process refunds until school buildings reopen. Details are provided online.

Distance Learning Schedule Enhancements

Now that distance learning is well underway, many teachers and parents have requested that we offer additional opportunities for student-teacher interaction. I’m pleased to let you know that beginning May 18, the elementary distance learning schedule will include additional check-in times each week, as well as opportunities for teachers, including related arts teachers, to host optional office hours. The secondary distance learning schedule will include opportunities for teachers to host optional virtual office hour meetings each week. We will have more information to share with you next week.

Virtual Student Visits

Students and families attending a new school for the 2020–2021 school year are invited to a Virtual Student Visit Day to meet school administrators and learn more about the school. Additional information about the Virtual Student Visit Day and how to participate will be sent out by individual schools before each date. Please contact your child’s current school counselor with any questions related to the upcoming virtual student visits.

Google Meet Privacy Expectations

To assure confidentiality for students and teachers during virtual check-in sessions, we remind parents/guardians and students that Google Meet sessions should not be recorded, screen captured or transmitted in any other way, including not posting on social media platforms. Please review these Google Meet privacy guidelines.

I hope you and your family will have happy times with cherished loved ones this Mother’s Day weekend, even if you aren’t able to celebrate together in person. Best wishes for health, peace and serenity this weekend and every day.

Additional Updates

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Home Reports – Winter 2019–2020

Home reports for students in grades 1–8 who participated in the February MAP assessment have been posted in Synergy. Parents/guardians may view/download MAP reports by taking the following steps:

  1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy
  2. Select Academic Information from the left panel
  3. Select Student’s Report Cards from the middle
  4. Near the top of the page, select MAP_2020_WINTER Note: Students in Algebra I/II or Geometry, and English 8 G/T do not participate in MAP testing and will not have a report displayed.

Additional information on MAP testing and how to interpret the report can be found online.

Online 3rd Quarter Report Cards

The 2019–2020 quarter three report cards will not be printed. Find instructions for viewing report cards online.